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If Duquette cannot make a trade to keep Michael Almanzar in the organization, Baltimore will be left with absolutely no depth behind Manny Machado. There are no even somewhat legitimate third base prospects in the system. Now, the team will most likely attempt to extend JJ Hardy, but he is a free agent after this season. If Hardy left, Machado would likely transition to shortstop, his natural position. However, that scenario would leave third base vacant. The only 2015 legitimate free agents for the left side of the infield will be Alberto Callaspo, Chase Headley, Pablo Sandovol, Hanley Ramirez, JJ Hardy, and Asdrubal Cabrera. Now, an external solution could still exist, but this trade would give Baltimore an internal option. In the upper levels of their system, the Cubs have Luis Valbuena, Donnie Murphy, Emilio Bonifacio, Mike Olt, Christian Villanueva, and Kris Bryant ahead of Vitters.

1. Although in the PCL, Vitters has hit to a .302/.361/.513 batting line in AAA. 2. His minor league career line is a solid .282/.329/.455. 3. He's only 24 compared to Britton's 26. 4. He plays a position more scarce in the Orioles organization than Britton plays. Remember, Baltimore has Kelvin De La Cruz, Mike Belfiore, Troy Patton, Chris Jones, Brian Matusz, Jason Gurka, Andy Loomis, Zach Fowler, Trent Howard, Lex Rutledge, and Ashur Tolliver all in the upper levels of the system.

osforlife wrote:1. Although in the PCL, Vitters has hit to a .302/.361/.513 batting line in AAA. 2. His minor league career line is a solid .282/.329/.455. 3. He's only 24 compared to Britton's 26. 4. He plays a position more scarce in the Orioles organization than Britton plays. Remember, Baltimore has Kelvin De La Cruz, Mike Belfiore, Troy Patton, Chris Jones, Brian Matusz, Jason Gurka, Andy Loomis, Zach Fowler, Trent Howard, Lex Rutledge, and Ashur Tolliver all in the upper levels of the system.

Remember we have Alex Gonzalez who can play multiple infield positions and still keep Britton. He also hit a home run today while starting at 3rd base. Perfect utility player.

Seafordeagles wrote:Remember we have Alex Gonzalez who can play multiple infield positions and still keep Britton. He also hit a home run today while starting at 3rd base. Perfect utility player.

With Alex Gonzalez you would have a veteran that will accept his role of utility player on this ball club. He does not block the Orioles from making mid-season trades or from doing extensions. His cost is minimal and as you state you still have Britton in the fold. His bat will play well as a utility player in my opinion.

I think Alex Gonzalez was a pretty under the radar minor league signing. Prior to 2013, he never played anything but shortstop. However in 2013, he started to play the corners for the Brewers, and I'm sure he could play second. He could theoretically back up all the infield positions. Him and Alexi Casilla are probably fighting for a roster spot. Just his 2011 production would be valuable to the Orioles.

That being said, the trade proposal above and Alex Gonzalez have almost nothing to do with each other. Gonzalez will probably be a major league utility player while Vitters would become the Tides' third baseman. Vitters would just give Baltimore an internal option for 2015, not necessarily to help out in 2014.

Also, I would like to add TJ McFarland, Nick Additon, and Aaron Laffey to the list of LH relief pitchers in the upper levels of the system. Baltimore has plenty of depth there. Jason Hammel, Travis Wood, Jeff Samardzija, and Edwin Jackson are locked in as Chicago's top four starters, but there if competition for the 5th spot. There's a good chance Samardzija won't be spending the whole season with the team either.

I'm not a Vitters fan. I think Britton is at his ceiling. He should make a good lefty long man in contrast to Matusz who is a specialist. The Orioles are some what thin on lefty relievers. I would use Britton in that capacity and Chicago can keep their subpar talent. Britton is a bit of a quandary in that at time he looks unhittable and at other times he can't find the zone. With him everything relies on the location of his sinker. Leave it to high and it gets crushed, to low and batters won't swing. In a pinch I would be fine with Flaherty at 3b. I think Manny is the long term answer at 3b, I would not want to move him since he has had so much success defending at 3b.

First, I like your thinking outside the box on this; but IMO Vitters is not the player I would be looking for. His glove at 3B is below average and, after six full seasons of pro ball he either doesn't see that as an area that needs improvement or this is his defensive ceiling. The bat is would be acceptable for an average or better defensive 3B, but it falls short for 1B or a corner OF position.

At this point Britton is probably worth a Class B prospect at a high A or better league OR a LOT of International money allowance; however, I think I would hold on to him since this team is all in this year. His FB is touching 95 MPH this spring and he seems to have regained control of his sinker again. IF he can keep his walks to 3 per 9 innings or less then he becomes an excellent option for the seventh or later.